49ers reported to have interest in Tim Tebow

The 49ers, Packers and Jaguars are reportedly teams that could have interest in Boncos quarterback Tim Tebow. (AP)

A pairing that only seemed possible in a fever dream not long ago – quarterback Tim Tebow and the 49ers – could happen, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Schefter reported, via Twitter, that Jacksonsville, Green Bay and San Francisco are “teams to monitor” as the Broncos look to trade Tebow after securing Peyton Manning on Monday.

At this point, with quarterback Alex Smith unsigned, the 49ers’ reported interest appears, on the surface, to be a move to gain leverage in contract negotiations with their incumbent starter. Smith has a three-year, $24 million deal on the table and the team has shown no indication that it will up its offer. It’s not clear if Smith has any free-agent suitors remaining after Seattle signed Matt Flynn on Sunday and the Dolphins added David Garrard on Monday.

As for that Broncos quarterback on the trading block — Tebow and Jim Harbaugh? Talk about a quarterback project the likes of which Harbaugh has never encountered.

Tebow has displayed a strong arm, unparalleled intangibles and a disturbing lack of accuracy. Tebow has a completion percentage of 47.3 (167 of 353) in his two-year career.

Could the 49ers, with their creative offensive coaching staff, be looking at Tebow as change-of-pace, Wildcat option who would spell Smith? It seems unlikely. Colin Kaepernick, who had three 1,000-yard rushing seasons at Nevada, is capable of handling potential Wildcat duties.

Jacksonville is widely viewed as the logical landing place for Tebow, who grew in the city’s suburbs and starred at the University of Florida. The Jaguars, who went 5-11 last year, could also use a surge in ticket sales, something Tebow would surely provide.

One last note: Tebow and Smith are represented by the same agent agency, CAA.